CBD and Menopause: What the Research Actually Says
Interest in using CBD for menopause symptoms is growing, and we want to give you a clear look at what the research supports and what remains unproven. CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate sleep, mood, and inflammation. These are areas where women often experience uncomfortable shifts as estrogen declines during the menopause transition, which is why researchers have started paying attention to how CBD might be able to help you move though it a little bit easier.
Why Women Are Turning to CBD During Perimenopause and Menopause
If you're in the middle of perimenopause, or postmenopausal, there's a good chance you’ve heard something about women turning to CBD for symptom support. Maybe a friend mentioned it, or you stumbled on it while searching for something that might help you sleep through the night. A 2022 survey published in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), asked 258 women about their use of medical cannabis. Of those, 131 were in perimenopause and 127 were postmenopausal. Most respondents, 86%, reported currently using cannabis, and 79% said they used it for menopause-related symptoms. Sleep disturbance (67%) and mood or anxiety (46%) were the most common reasons.
Something we want to note here is that the survey looked at cannabis broadly. Smoking and edibles were the most common ways respondents used it, which typically means THC was involved. But the figures show that women are actively searching for options (especially for sleep and mood), even though they don’t offer a look into how CBD might also produce the relief respondents described. NAMS leadership was clear about the takeaway though: more research is needed before cannabis can be recommended in clinical practice.
The survey also offered a window into how different the menopause transition can feel from one stage to the next. Women in perimenopause reported more severe symptoms than postmenopausal women, including more anxiety and more hot flashes, and they were more likely to turn to cannabis for mood and anxiety.
The rest of this article looks at what has been studied for CBD specifically, one symptom at a time, and where the research is still catching up.
What the Research Actually Says, Symptom by Symptom
Menopause looks different for every woman, so we've taken the symptoms that come up most often and looked at what the research says about each. Some areas have more evidence to offer than others, which we’ll make note of for you in the table (and following) sections below.
Here's how the picture looks at a glance:
|
Symptom |
What Research Suggests |
Strength of Evidence |
|
Sleep |
CBD may support sleep, with results that vary by dose and by person |
Moderate, dose-dependent |
|
Mood and anxiety |
Ongoing research into the endocannabinoid system's role in stress regulation |
Emerging, promising |
|
Joint discomfort and inflammation |
Lab studies suggest CBD may help resolve inflammation |
Supported by lab research |
|
Hot flashes |
No research shows CBD-specific improvement |
Limited, inconclusive |
Sleep
Are you waking up at 3am every morning? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Sleep trouble is one of the most common difficulties women experience during the menopause transition, and during perimenopause it can be especially disruptive as hormone levels rise and fall unpredictably.
How CBD may support sleep happens to be one of the better-supported research areas for CBD, with a few important caveats. In a 2019 study, more than half of the participants found improvement in sleep within the first month of taking CBD. An eight week study in 2023 found that low-dose CBD supplementation may offer benefits in enhancing sleep quality.
The studies tend to be small though, and while they suggest certain outcomes they don’t definitively settle the question. Results appear to depend on dose, since different amounts may produce different effects, and they vary from person to person. Some people notice a marked difference, and others notice very little. This is why we describe CBD as something that may help you wind down, but not as a guaranteed fix. If sleep problems linger, check in with your doctor, who can look at the bigger picture, including how your hormones and any medications you take might play a role.
Mood and Anxiety
Mood shifts, irritability, and anxiety rank among the most burdensome parts of the transition for many women. In the NAMS survey, mood and anxiety were the second most common reason respondents gave for using cannabis (46%), though that figure reflects cannabis use broadly, with THC likely in the mix for many respondents.
Researchers interested in the potential role of CBD for perimenopause look closely at the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate how your body responds to stress. That research is ongoing, and it has not established CBD as a treatment for depression or anxiety disorders. Perimenopausal women in the survey also reported higher rates of depression and anxiety diagnoses, a reminder that menopause-related mood changes can overlap with clinical conditions. If you're feeling persistently low, anxious, or overwhelmed, please talk with your doctor or a mental health professional. CBD may support your sense of calm as one part of a broader plan, and a healthcare provider can help you build the rest.
Joint Pain and Inflammation
Estrogen helps keep inflammation in check throughout your body, so when those levels decline during perimenopause, you may notice more stiffness or achiness in your joints.
Lab research published in 2023 found that CBD may help shift immune cells away from producing pro-inflammatory compounds and toward molecules that help resolve inflammation. A review of CBD's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties indicated a similar direction. Neither tested women going through menopause, so human research is still needed. With that in mind, CBD may help ease joint discomfort for some people, and your doctor can help you rule out other causes of persistent joint issues.
Hot Flashes
For hot flashes, the evidence for CBD relief is limited and inconclusive. They were common among the women in the NAMS survey, and perimenopausal respondents reported more of them than postmenopausal respondents. The survey can't tell us whether cannabis, let alone CBD, eased hot flashes, and no research we're aware of supports a specific link between CBD and improvement in hot flash frequency or severity. We'd rather say that directly than hint at a promise the science can't keep. If hot flashes are your biggest challenge, talk with your healthcare provider about options that have stronger evidence behind them.
Where the Science Behind CBD for Menopause Symptoms Is Still Thin
Most research on CBD and menopause falls into one of three buckets: studies in animals, surveys about cannabis use broadly, and small studies built on self-reported experiences. Each can point researchers toward promising questions. None can tell you how CBD will work for you.
Consider the Rutgers University study. Researchers gave CBD to mice whose ovaries had been removed to model postmenopausal physiology. Over 18 weeks, those mice showed improved glucose tolerance and some improved bone measures compared with untreated mice. That's an encouraging early signal, but it can't be applied to women directly without further research. The NAMS survey has its own limits, as it was small and responses were self-reported
No large-scale human clinical trial has tested CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD specifically for menopause symptom relief. We'd rather tell you the truth than oversell it, which is the heart of our No Hype, Just Hemp philosophy.
CBD vs. THC: What the Research Actually Measured
Again, the research we shared above mostly looked at cannabis use broadly, which often includes THC through smoking or edibles. Treadwell Farms' core CBD products are made with full-spectrum hemp, which means they contain only trace THC, still below the federally legal guidelines. If you're curious how that compares with other formulas, our guide to full-spectrum vs. isolate walks through the differences, and the entourage effect explains how hemp compounds may work together.
Some Treadwell Farms products include ratio vs. trace amounts of THC on purpose, for women who want that option. Choosing a product with THC is a personal decision, and a conversation with your healthcare provider can help, particularly if you're sensitive to THC or subject to drug testing. You can also view test results for Treadwell Farms products to confirm cannabinoid content in every product we offer.
Finding the Right Support for Your Symptoms
If you'd like to try CBD for menopause support, Treadwell Farms offers three bundles that many women find are a convenient way to get started. Every bundle product is also sold individually, so you can mix and match if that’s your preference. You'll find everything in our Menopause Support collection.
For sleep and joint comfort. If your goal is better rest and relief from everyday stiffness, start with our Sleep & Recovery Bundle that includes Recovery Gummies, Rapid Relief Cream, and Sleep Gummies. Please note that Sleep Gummies contain 10mg CBN, 5mg CBD, and 2mg THC per gummy. Recovery Gummies and Rapid Relief Cream contain only the trace THC found in full-spectrum hemp CBD.
For stress and mental clarity. If you’re navigating mood swings and brain fog, take a look at our Stress & Clarity Bundle, which pairs Recovery Gummies, Peach Relief Gummies, and Everyday Essential CBD Body Oil. The body oil is perfect for easing the tension we hold in our bodies and is a great addition to massage therapy. Please note that Peach Relief Gummies contain 10mg CBD and 5mg THC per gummy.
For mood shifts. If easing through changes in mood are your focus, you may want to try our Mood & Libido Support Bundle with 1:1 Relief Gummies, 2:1 Relief Gummies, and Everyday Essential CBD Body Oil. Our body oil can be used to help hydrate the drier skin that comes with menopause, including intimate dryness. Please note that the 1:1 Relief Gummies contain 10mg CBD and 10mg THC per gummy, and the 2:1 Relief Gummies contain 10mg CBD and 5mg THC per gummy.
If you try a gummy that contains THC, we suggest starting with half or a quarter of a gummy and adjusting your dose slowly once you know how your body responds. As with anything new during menopause, please check with your healthcare provider first.
FAQs About CBD for Menopause
Can CBD help with menopause symptoms?
Some research suggests CBD may support sleep, mood, and comfort around inflammation, but the evidence is still emerging and varies a great deal from symptom to symptom. Sleep has some of the more consistent findings, while hot flashes have the least support. The Menopause Support collection shows what Treadwell Farms offers for this life stage, and your healthcare provider can help you decide whether CBD fits your situation.
Can CBD replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
No. CBD does not raise estrogen levels and is not a hormone replacement. Some women use CBD alongside other approaches to symptom support, but it is not a substitute for medical treatment. Decisions about HRT should come from a conversation with your doctor, who can weigh your health history, symptoms, and goals.
Is CBD safe to use during perimenopause or menopause?
CBD is generally well tolerated by most people. Because CBD can interact with certain prescription medications, check with your healthcare provider before adding it to your routine. That advice applies whether you're considering CBD for perimenopause or for later stages of menopause.
What's the difference between CBD and THC for menopause symptom support?
CBD is non-intoxicating, while THC is the compound responsible for cannabis's euphoric effects. Most research on cannabis and menopause symptoms involved products containing THC, so those results can't be credited to CBD alone. Treadwell Farms' core CBD products contain only trace THC, still below the federally legal 0.3% level, and some products intentionally include ratio vs. trace THC for women who want that option, with the amount clearly disclosed.
Will CBD show up on a drug test?
It can. Full-spectrum CBD products contain trace THC, still below the federally legal guidelines, and heavy or frequent use carries a small but real risk of a positive drug test. Products with intentional THC, including Relief Gummies, Peach Relief Gummies, and Sleep Gummies, carry more risk. If drug testing is part of your life, skip THC-containing products and talk with your employer or doctor before using any full-spectrum product. Our guide to full-spectrum vs. isolate can help you understand the differences.
Explore CBD Support for Menopause
Research on CBD and menopause is still developing, and there is plenty left to learn. At Treadwell Farms, we believe you deserve honest information so you can make the choice that feels right for you and your body. Our Menopause Support Collection was designed based on feedback from women and customers to match products with what they’re experiencing as they move through this transition. Whenever you're considering something new for menopause symptoms, your healthcare provider is a great partner in that decision.
Questions about which bundle fits your symptoms? Contact us. We're happy to help.